1. He thought at dawn, after night's silence, he was safe
When he saw an arrow, and blood flowing

2. He returned to question his tent-folk, and found
His heart was gone from amongst them

3. He did not know from where his heart was struck
While the archer perceived how he had shot

4. O Killer of eyes that were created as limbs
So how did they become arrows?

5. And an archer who did not scruple shedding my blood
Seizing the inviolable

6. He left me sick, and passed mocking
Saying, Arise, seek the water of Zamzam as cure

7. Had he permitted what his saliva guards
It would have been more healing for me than pure water

8. By my father! Who sells his father
for tears on the cheek? That would be magic like camphor

9. As if the blonde one in his camphor
were a sorceress. Too exalted to be "as if"!

10. O consoler of the sands, he seeks news
If he gives it to me, it would be a gift

11. Ask the doe of the valley, when she comes
Of a gazelle, whose arrow is it?

12. And where are the people of the preserve from whom
I sought union after them, to join them?

13. They supposed that parting was sweetness
And I, that nearness to them was sweetest

14. As if my eyes were filled with other than them
when they forbade my eyes their blindness

15. They said, Expect reward and be hopeful
And good fortune among the corrupt and the sinful

16. Blame me not for ignorance in that
With effort, I strove, had I known

17. He said, Turn away from it, for its name's a sign
I agreed there to be a standard

18. I will silence my hand on the beloved though he
Broke his word, or was cut off from me

19. Let not the robe of a day for tomorrow
Delude you, for passion is not forward

20. Fate winked at me with its eyes, upon
My fresh branch, but it was not broken

21. Custom enticed me, grazing bare
And trunkless I obeyed not its driving

22. Let destiny rule in my share as it wishes
Since when did my destiny pass by me ruled?

23. The days did not eat up my joy like honey
Except they saw the cud of my flesh a clod

24. I carried my heart propped up with pride
That which wearied the heavy mountains

25. If the day brought a frowning face
I met it with a friendly smile

26. I experienced my fate, and the same
Whether time showed gentleness or violence

27. How should half-justice be hoped for from an arbiter
Who knows only justice in what he divides?

28. The best of courage in my view
Is following the example of the generous

29. They travel darkened and bright roads
Speechless sorrows and eloquent calamities

30. The wind, even when stormy,
Could not bend their yielding shoulders

31. They clothe themselves in resolve for it, and take
Consolation in it for distinction

32. They faced it with their cheeks streaming
With the drizzle of auspicious news upon them

33. Until enemies saw in what they lost to them
Gain, and in gifts, increase of gifts

34. A family whose glory sees no waning
Their wealth intact, still munificent

35. As if what diminishes of their number
And wealth, adds to their honor, completing it

36. If a chief among them dies, a youth
From them succeeds him, to replace the elder

37. They vie for supremacy and draw lots
For the dew, sharing it equally between them

38. They race to drive away the lion in the
Forests or rain in drizzles on Muslims

39. Every bold lad goes off by himself
Where glory beckoned him insistently

40. If the sun of a day among them sets
They cloak the darkness in moonlight and stars

41. An Araka whose origin was purified
Then the noble branch thrived and grew

42. And of its fruits, when it rose high
Was Abu al-Ma'ali, shade-giving and feeding

43. In its prime a nursing infant, and its maturity
A discerning boy, and its old age an inspired sage

44. Its crowned sovereign, its braceleted chief
Raising a head, stretching out a limb

45. As a youth, his hearing tuned to the voices of the chaste
As if their melodies brought him joy

46. He scorned the lower life - had it given freely to him
Gift after gift, he'd have refused regretfully

47.
More painful to him than clutching embers

48. In his perception, a handful clutching coins
The breeze learned refinement from his character

49. Until it was gentle, and rain until generous
If his hand distressed you, and he frowned

50. His face and mouth would reconcile you
If you missed his aid for some purpose

51. He'd tread on the fire and plunge into flames

52. To God! You turned to dew
With your face, and time frowned

53. And you rose up supporting with your hand
Whatever of the throne of exaltation collapsed

54. If circumstances were arid, no soul despaired
You intended, whether you found wealth or lacked it

55. Or if you lacked wealth, you were most generous with it
Causing joy, though preventing and bestowing

56. And if intentions went bad, you were not
For God's wisdom suspicious in His decree

57. No doubt, though your state disappears for a time
It will return fresh, no doubt

58. What is lost must be gathered up again
When a time goes astray, it must be turned back

59. And a gift that left its home must return
Until it comes back most generous

60. When you are safe in persons and lineage
Then you are safe in shooting stars and gifts

61. And if your enemy rejoices at a chance
Then for long he has been driven away, despised

62. Look for the return of your glory
And let his rage expect blows and pain

63. As if I see through the unseen
The sun of morning burst forth through this darkness

64. Auspicious omens did not lie to me about you
Never frightening me with ominous things

65. And hopes made to me no empty promises
My dreams never rebuked my imagination

66. So listen to good news from a truthful one
Who was sincere in divination for you and secure

67. His expression never diverged from you though time
Frowned at you, never slipping away

68. Nor, familiar, blamed your enemy
While praising you, though reverent

69. Not fearing the victorious one in his rule
Nor caring for his avenging sword

70. Why should I fear the order when God is with me
He knows my care to guard the rights

71. And freedom of speech is easy and smooth
Not for every speaking mouth

72. Caution makes me rein in foolishness
Oh for men who restrain caution!

73. I am most wretched in its meanings, while a group
Claims in it a shared name

74. Does my eloquence benefit me
When my fate in it is skulls?

75. It comes to you in a burdah it pulls
Like the Yemeni pulling his striped cloak

76. So unseat it as you unseated it before
Stripping its claim, and piercing it

77. The face of celebration will meet you sincere
Turned from it, and meet a group masked

78. And entrust a thousand like it to one like it
Counting him a loyal companion